Heartland Weekly: The Crucifixion of a Climate Scientist

Keely Drukala is the Deputy Director of Communications at The Heartland Institute. Prior to joining Heartland in 2007, Keely worked as office manager for the Cook County Republican Party. She co-chaired the 2006 Cook County Republican Convention, the first county convention in more than 20 years. In 2007, Keely ran for Illinois State Representative, and although unsuccessful, she was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune over the incumbent.

Keely received a dual bachelor’s of arts degree in international politics and international communications from the American University of Paris.

Keely is a Northern California native but has lived in Chicago since 2005.

If you don’t visit Somewhat Reasonable and the Heartlander digital magazine every day, you’re missing out on some of the best news and commentary on liberty and free markets you can find. But worry not, freedom lovers! The Heartland Weekly Email is here for you every Fridaywith a highlight show.

Florida Lawmakers Propose Sin Tax on NightclubsAlexa Moutevelis, the HeartlanderFloridians heading to “gentlemen’s clubs” in the Sunshine State may soon be paying an extra cover charge. One would go to the bouncer, and another $10 would go to the state. No word yet on if this proposed new tax must be paid in singles. READ MORE

Better Price Controls Won’t Fix MedicareSean Parnell, Orange County RegisterThe Obama administration recently announced it will shift how it pays doctors under Medicare, seeking to reward “value” instead of “volume.” This is likely to be yet another fiasco, with elderly patients and taxpayers falling victim to the dreams of bureaucrats and central planners. READ MORE

The Crucifixion of Dr. Willie Soon
Sean Parnell, Orange County Register
The science is not on their side, so climate alarmists and their media allies are getting desperate and vicious with their smears and lies. They’ve gone full Alinsky on their latest target: Willie Soon. They are trying to freeze him, polarize him, and isolate him. It will not work. It must not work. READ MORE

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IL Gov. Bruce Rauner Goes After Healthcare Costs
Scott Reeder, the Heartlander
The governor some on the left have called “Scott Walker on steroids” wants to reduce what Illinois spends on health insurance for its own employees as well how much money it is funneling into Medicaid. Gov. Bruce Rauner (R), however, acknowledged his proposed savings would only be fully realized if state worker unions cooperate. Good luck with that. READ MORE

BONUS Podcast — Isaac Orr: The Fracking Revolution
Jim Lakely, director of communications at the Heartland Institute, discusses the latest news in the fracking revolution with Heartland energy Research Fellow Isaac Orr. They talk about boomtowns and the “downstream jobs” of the fracking revolution, especially the mining of frac sand in Wisconsin.

Louisiana Lawmakers Propose State Film Tax Credit ReformsJeff Reynolds, the Heartlander“I think it was Bastiat who wrote about ‘the seen and the unseen.’ The film tax credit is popular partly because it’s so visible,” said Kevin Kane, president of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. “You see film crews all over town, you turn on television, and you see shows and movies that were filmed in Louisiana.” READ MORE

Obama Administration Preparing for Adverse SCOTUS Ruling on Obamacare
Sean Parnell, the Heartlander
The president has two very obvious plans. The first is to exert enormous amounts of political pressure on Congressional Republicans to add the words “or the federal government” right after the words “established by the state” in Obamacare. The second is to exert enormous amounts of pressure on states that didn’t set up exchanges to do so now. READ MORE

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